Yosemite Hummingbird

02/16/2026

We love owls!

10/28/2025

We are so excited for this book about Yosemite Wildlife by wildlife advocate Beth Pratt!

10/02/2025

Happy Birthday to Yosemite National Park, established October 1, 1890!

07/11/2025

Please drive the speed limit and watch for wildlife when driving in Yosemite! Also remember to store all food, toiletries, and anything with a strong smell in a bear box to avoid bears getting your food!

Bears are up and moving in Yosemite National Park!
They have been spotted moving around from the Sierra Nevada foothills to Tuolumne Meadows in the high Sierra. They typically emerge from hibernation in March or April, depending on food availability, elevation, and weather. Adult male bears wake first, followed by solo females and juveniles, and finally sows with cubs. The first spring cubs were seen in mid-May along the Yosemite Falls Trail.

The newly awakened bears are hungry!
Bears in Yosemite Valley eat new grasses, flower buds, and fresh roots in early spring, along with leftover acorns from fall. They use meadows and vernal pools for high-sugar sedges and tear into decaying logs for insects. In June, they start consuming fruit like raspberries and non-native apples. Even with fresh food, Yosemite bears may lose weight into May as their metabolisms recover from hibernation.

How can you help protect these bears this summer? By doing the same things we need to do every day to keep bears alive and wild:

-Store food and trash (anything with a scent or calories) within arm’s reach of an awake person or secured in a building, bear canister, or food locker.

-Stay a minimum of 50 yards away from bears, and and even further if your presence is causing them to change their behavior.

Visit https://keepbearswild.org/2025/07/bear-awakening/ to read the full blog post.

05/04/2025

It's so magical when the dogwood is blooming in Yosemite!

Mountain (or Pacific) dogwood is a beloved sign of spring in Yosemite. This graceful plant usually blooms in April and May, lining the Merced River with splashes of white and green.

As the flowers bloom, they draw in a delightful parade of pollinators—bees buzz industriously from blossom to blossom, butterflies flutter gracefully on the leaves, and hummingbirds dart around the tree in search of sweet nectar.

However, the real marvel lies in the “flowers” themselves. What many might mistake for bright white petals are actually modified leaves known as bracts. If you look closely, you can spot the delicate yellow blossoms of the dogwood nestled within.

Each spring, the dogwood reminds us of the beauty and complexity of life, inviting all who visit to take a moment to appreciate its charm. Have you ever seen these enchanting blooms in person?

04/24/2025

03/23/2025

Wildflowers in and around Yosemite are something very special!

02/08/2025

High Sierra we**am showing a fresh dusting of snow earlier this week!

High Sierra we**am showing off a fresh dusting of snow: https://yosemite.org/we**ams/high-sierra/

05/13/2024

This is really great! We're happy that Ansel Adams' photography will be celebrated with a new stamp collection!

There is something so special about delayed gratification.

When environmentalist and acclaimed photographer, Ansel Adams, crafted his photos of the American West, he tried to capture subjects not merely as they appeared, but also by showing the emotions they evoked. Film photography leaves little room for error — the camera must be manually adjusted (no autofocus!), and photos developed by hand. Similarly, correspondence via 'snail mail' requires patience, and — with the absence of a backspace button — precision.

Perhaps, the intentionality behind Adams' process, is why his black-and-white images remain timeless and iconic symbols of the American outdoors. Perhaps too, being confined to the space on a postcard makes us more thoughtful with our words.

An opportunity to celebrate Ansel Adams' legacy and practice the art of delayed gratification is upon us. Join us here in Yosemite, outside of on Wednesday, May 15, at 11 am, for a First Day of Issue Ceremony for the Ansel Adams Forever Stamps. Each of the 16 special edition stamps offers a tangible chance to reflect, be inspired, and send someone else a small window into our ever-evolving relationship with nature.

This special ceremony will feature several speakers, the official dedication of the new stamp, special guests, and a few surprises! After the ceremony, the USPS will have several items for sale in front of the Ansel Adams Gallery and the post office in Yosemite Village, including sheets of the new stamps. The event is free to attend, and no park reservation is required (the usual park entrance fee still applies).

01/17/2024

For more detailed information about the park and activities you can enjoy, please check out our Substack.

Hi! Welcome to Yosemite.

12/04/2023

We've updated our website with information about making reservations to view the 2024 Yosemite Firefall! The National Park Service requires reservations to enter Yosemite during weekends in February.

The firefall is a natural phenomenon that happens in February if conditions are right, and Horsetail Fall is flowing. The setting sun makes the water in the fall look like fire! It’s an incredible thing to witness.

https://www.yosemitehummingbird.com/yosemite-firefall